From Japanese to Castilian, from Castilian to Catalan, but no English? A case study of language use and knowledge of Japanese residents in Catalonia

Abstract

This study explores the language use and knowledge of the Japanese population in Catalonia. Catalonia, where two languages of different social statuses are in contact, raises some questions about migrants’ language practice and also questions the supposed role of English as an international lingua franca. The results of analysis of the data on language use and knowledge collected through the questionnaire survey show that this population are not homogeneous in these two variables, but they can be classified into three subgroups in terms of their main quotidian language. English has little presence amongst them and its supposed role as an international lingua franca has not been confirmed in this study. The study also confirms a positive correlation between language use and knowledge. Those who relate more with their compatriots tend to have a lower level of knowledge of local languages, whilst those who relate more with the local population tend to have a higher level of local languages. Regarding Catalan, however, it has been confirmed that only some subjects have learnt this language and users of Catalan are limited to long-term residents, particularly to inter-married families.

Keywords

• Language use
• language knowledge
• Catalonia
• English as lingua franca
• Japanese sojourners.